Vivienne Westwood Biography: Controversy, Death, Awards, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Husband, Children, Books, Logo

Vivienne Westwood, born Vivienne Isabel Swire, was a pioneering British fashion designer whose avant-garde approach redefined the fashion industry in the 1970s.

She gained widespread recognition for her significant role in shaping punk fashion alongside her partner Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols.

Westwood’s designs were often provocative and socially conscious, pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion and inspiring a global movement.

Over the decades, she expanded her influence beyond punk, becoming a renowned advocate for sustainability, civil rights, and environmental activism while maintaining a prolific career in high fashion.

Profile

•   Full name: Vivienne Isabel Westwood Swire
•   Date of birth: April 8, 1941
•   Age as of 2024: 83 (deceased in 2022)
• – Gender: Female
•   Place of birth: Tintwistle, Cheshire, England
•   Nationality: British
•   Profession: Fashion designer, activist
•   Height: N/A
•   Parents: Gordon Swire (father), Dora Ball (mother)
•   Siblings: N/A
•   Spouse: Andreas Kronthaler (married 1992), Derek Westwood (married 1962, divorced 1966)
•   Children: Benjamin Westwood, Joseph Corré
•   Relationship status: Married at the time of death
•   Religion: Taoist
•   Ethnicity: White
•   Net worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Vivienne Westwood was born on April 8, 1941, in Tintwistle, Cheshire, to parents Gordon Swire and Dora Ball. The family later moved to Greater London, where Vivienne attended the Harrow Art School.

However, after just one term, she left, believing that a working-class girl like herself had little opportunity in the art world. She pursued teacher training and worked as a primary school teacher, making jewelry on the side, which she sold in the Notting Hill district.

As of 2024, Westwood would have been 83 years old, but she passed away in 2022. Her early years, shaped by economic constraints, would later influence her anti-establishment views and commitment to challenging societal norms through fashion.

Personal Life

Vivienne Westwood married Derek Westwood, and they had one son, Benjamin, before divorcing in 1966. Shortly after, she met Malcolm McLaren, with whom she had another son, Joseph Corré.

Westwood and McLaren became one of the most iconic duos in fashion and music history, though their romantic relationship ended in the early 1980s.

In 1992, Westwood married Andreas Kronthaler, a former fashion student of hers, with whom she continued to collaborate creatively until her death.

Westwood was known for her strong political views. Later in life, she shifted from Labour to the Conservative Party due to concerns about human rights and liberties.

Career

Vivienne Westwood began her career in fashion in the early 1970s, collaborating with Malcolm McLaren to open the boutique “SEX” on King’s Road in London. This boutique became a hub for the burgeoning punk movement.

Her punk-inspired designs, often incorporating provocative imagery and materials, challenged the social and political order of the time. The “Pirates” collection in 1981 marked her entry into high fashion, blending historical references with contemporary design.

Over the decades, Westwood became known for fusing rebellious spirit with refined craftsmanship, producing iconic collections such as “Mini-Crini” and “Anglomania.”

Her later work focused on sustainability and environmental activism, solidifying her as a fashion designer who was both artistically innovative and socially conscious.

Awards

•   1992: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
•   2006: Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)
•   2021: Leonardo da Vinci Award for lifetime achievement

Net Worth

Vivienne Westwood’s net worth was estimated at $50 million at the time of her death in December 2022.

Her fortune was accumulated through decades of success in the fashion industry, the global expansion of her brand, and lucrative collaborations with major corporations like Virgin Atlantic and Vans.

Death

Vivienne Westwood passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 81. She died peacefully in Clapham, South London, surrounded by her family.

Her death marked the end of an era for British fashion, with tributes pouring in from around the world recognizing her as one of the most influential designers of her time.

Controversy

Vivienne Westwood’s career was often steeped in controversy, much of it by her design. In the 1970s, her collaboration with Malcolm McLaren and the Sex Pistols produced some of the most provocative fashion of the punk era, with designs featuring controversial imagery like swastikas, which was meant to shock and challenge societal norms.

In the 1980s, Westwood stirred controversy again by incorporating politically charged messages in her designs, including criticism of Margaret Thatcher and the British monarchy. Her environmental activism also sparked debate, as she was accused of hypocrisy for promoting sustainability while running a luxury fashion brand.

Social Media

•   Instagram: @viviennewestwood
•   Twitter: @FollowWestwood

Books

•   Vivienne Westwood: A London Fashion (2003)
•   Opus 2008 (2008)
•   Vivienne Westwood (The Complete Collections) (2021)